Chapter 33: Abyssal Dragon
Outside the trial grounds.
As time passed, the atmosphere grew tense and oppressive.
Initially, Elder Thorak calmly reassured everyone, "Orion must have chosen a high-difficulty challenge. It's normal for it to take a long time, so don't worry."
But as more time passed, even Thorak grew uneasy... it was taking too long.
Since Orion entered the trial grounds, three whole days had passed!
Could he be challenging the S-grade trial? Could the Blackstone Tribe, after a century, produce another warrior with an awakened S-grade bloodline?!
Thorak's hands trembled with excitement, but as another day passed, his excitement turned to worry.
Too long!
"Even for S-grade, it shouldn't take this long."
"Orion must have been too greedy; he's likely in grave danger."
Thorak thought to himself, glancing at the waiting crowd, sighing helplessly.
Just as he was about to say something to ease the tension, a giant jumped out, lamenting, "Elder Thorak, it's been so long, could Orion have died in there?"
Damn it!
Thorak was immediately furious, "Go to the confinement room, you're not allowed out for three days!"
"What?!"
The giant's eyes widened, not understanding why he was punished, as two giant guards dragged him away.
With the brainless fool gone, peace returned. Thorak slowly approached Clymene, hesitating before speaking, "Chieftain, you should go back. I'll stay here and wait."
"Don't worry, my brother is strong. He'll be fine. He might even be challenging a higher-level trial!"
Thorak watched Clymene anxiously. The young, powerful acting chieftain seemed indifferent to her brother's fate.
But her occasional ragged breaths betrayed her.
"The bloodline trial has a high mortality rate. Orion misjudged his strength and challenged beyond his ability. If he dies, it's due to his own shortcomings," Clymene shook her head, then coldly added, "But even if he's dead, I want to see his body."
"I'll wait too," Lysinthia said, her eyes downcast, forcing a smile.
Clymene glanced at her, nodding slightly.
Time ticked by, the light in everyone's eyes nearly extinguished.
Then, the trial gate suddenly burst with light, and a figure emerged!
Everyone held their breath for a moment.
"Look, someone's coming out of the trial grounds!"
"It's Orion, he's alive!"
"Praise the Titan God, the Blackstone Tribe has gained another bloodline warrior!"
"..."
As Orion appeared, the gathered giants looked at him with joy, curiosity, and relief...
Clymene remained composed, but seeing her brother safe brought tears to her eyes.
"Glad you're back safe, you had everyone worried!" Elder Thorak said, half relieved, half anxious.
He approached to say something, then froze, sensing the overwhelming aura emanating from Orion... even stronger than the former chieftain's.
...
Lysinthia had already returned to the tent to prepare food for her master. Orion and his sister walked back to the tribe together.
The Black Forest night wasn't dark, fireflies drifted like candlelight, dreamlike.
"Little one, you're a true bloodline warrior now. It's time to find a real woman to satisfy your needs. Regular intimacy can aid your growth. What do you think of the succubi next door?" Clymene asked.
Orion paused, then chuckled.
"I'm fine with it! I'm curious about a succubus who combines lust and fidelity, what kind of existence is that?!"
"Hahaha... then it's settled. In a few days, I'll personally lead a team to negotiate with the Succubus Tribe!"
Orion thought for a moment, then said, "My woman must be of the succubus royal lineage. Ordinary succubi aren't qualified to be my woman!"
"Must it be royal?" Clymene was slightly surprised by her brother's response.
Though succubus royals were more beautiful and alluring, given the Blackstone Tribe's current strength, it might be challenging.
"Yes, if the Succubus Tribe refuses, then forget it. I swear they'll regret their decision!" Orion's stance was clear.
"Right, my brother became a powerful bloodline warrior at 11. I'm sure the succubus royals won't refuse!"
After parting with his sister, Orion returned to his tent. After eating and drinking his fill, he placed the pet egg he had obtained earlier on the ground.
He bit his fingertip, letting his blood drip onto the eggshell.
Instantly, the pet egg glowed red, cracks appearing on the shell.
"Crack..."
The shell broke open under Orion and Lysinthia's expectant gaze.
A... chicken emerged?
"Huh?" A big question mark appeared over Orion's head.
He checked the panel, oh, it's a dragon... how does this look like a dragon?!
An abstract version?
---
**Abyssal Dragon**
Species: Dragon (Juvenile)
Level: A (Hero)
Status: Healthy, Alert
[Weight: 800 pounds]
[Strength: 315]
[Agility: 263]
[Defense: 340]
[Affinity: 1%]
Description: A high-level creature with ancient bloodline, a future Abyssal overlord.
Note: The Abyssal Dragon can be tamed as a battle companion, granting its owner an additional +20 to all attributes.
---
Indeed, it's strong. Even just hatched, its attributes are similar to Orion's! And taming it grants a +20 boost to all attributes!
Orion reached out to touch the dragon baby.
However, it watched him warily, letting out a low growl.
Orion paused, then understood.
"Right, I need to tame it first."
He murmured an incantation, casting Beast Taming, a gentle light enveloping the Abyssal Dragon's head.
However, the light quickly faded, and a system prompt sounded:
[Note: The Abyssal Dragon is a high-level creature and cannot be tamed with Intermediate Beast Taming.]
"What do I need to obtain a higher-level Beast Taming?" Orion frowned.
Though he couldn't tame it directly, the dragon baby, hatched from his blood, wasn't hostile.
It merely turned its head away, appearing a bit impatient.
"Looks like I'll have to build a bond slowly," Orion mused.
He took some jerky Lysinthia had prepared, offering it to the Abyssal Dragon.
"Hungry? Have some food."
The dragon sniffed, showing disdain, shaking its head.
"Don't like it?" Orion was surprised, "What do you want to eat?"
The dragon ignored him, wandering the tent, then snatched a piece of fresh meat, swallowing it whole.
"So you prefer fresh meat!"
Orion immediately instructed Lysinthia to bring a whole deer.
Though the Abyssal Dragon was juvenile, its appetite was astonishing, devouring it in one gulp.
[Abyssal Dragon Satiety: 10/100]
[Affinity: 2%]
[Current Status: Hungry]
[Please continue providing fresh food or pet pills, or the Abyssal Dragon may starve or leave]